Expelled JD(U) leader Sabir Ali joins BJP

New Delhi: Expelled Janata Dal (United) leader Sabir Ali on Friday joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and praised the saffron party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, saying that the Gujarat Chief Minister is the ‘most capable’ person to lead the country forward.

The party had earlier declined to renominate Ali and two other MPs, including NK Singh who also later joined BJP, to the Rajya Sabha after their term ends next month.

Ali was JD (U)'s candidate from Sheohar constituency for Lok Sabha elections before the party withdrew his candidature following his praise for Modi.

"I am confident that Modi is the most capable and competent candidate to be the Prime Minister. The minorities, poor and deprived will benefit from his leadership," he told the reporters at BJP headquarters.

He also hit out at Nitish Kumar, accusing him of ‘hypocrisy’ and said that he was expelled because he spoke about the country needing a strong and visionary leader.

Ali, who was earlier in Ram Vilas Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) before joining Nitish Kumar, said that he had seen so called secular parties from close quarters due to his association with them and there is a difference between what they preach and what they practice.